Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Activities Fruit
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Last Thursday through Sunday of June
Holiday emoji:: 🍉

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week kicks off every last Thursday of June, running through Sunday, celebrating the iconic summer fruit. Join in the festivities with parades, music, and delicious treats, culminating in lively seed spitting contests. Gather your friends and family, enjoy the sweet taste of summer, and perfect your spitting technique for a chance at glory!

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Expected Watermelon Seed Spitting Week Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that Watermelon Seed Spitting Week inspires many refreshing deals. Expect grocery stores like Kroger and Walmart to offer discounts on whole watermelons and pre-cut slices. Farmers’ markets nationwide will highlight local growers with special prices on fresh produce. Restaurants such as Chili’s or Applebee’s might feature watermelon-themed drinks or desserts. Specialty food brands like Trader Joe’s often introduce unique watermelon-flavored snacks. Even local ice cream shops could roll out limited-edition watermelon sorbets or sundaes. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June approaches.

Platform Guide for Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #WatermelonWeek. Film your best seed spitting attempts or share creative watermelon recipes and carving hacks.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WatermelonSeedSpitting. Post vibrant photos of watermelon treats, family picnics, and festival fun.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #WatermelonFun. Share local festival event pages, organize community seed spitting contests, or post your favorite watermelon recipes.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week Hero

Max M. Stroud

Max M. Stroud, often credited as the 'Father of the Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest,' helped popularize the quirky competition. His efforts, particularly in the Luling Watermelon Thump in Texas, transformed a simple summer pastime into a widely recognized and celebrated event. Stroud's dedication to the sport helped establish official rules and attract national attention, cementing its place in American folk culture.

History of Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week is the week of the Luling Watermelon Thump Festival in Texas. The name Watermelon Seed Spitting Week is a new tag for the four-day festival whose main event is the watermelon seed-spitting contest. The festival began in 1954, when Hermon Allen, Principal of the Luling Elementary School, presented the idea to celebrate and honor farmers and encourage the Luling watermelon market. Ever since the Thump has been held annually on the last Thursday through Sunday in June.

The festival came to include live music, food booths, seed-spitting contests, a parade, pageants, auctions, and car shows. It is now such a drawcard that about 30,000 people flock to Luling each year for it. A Guinness World Record was set for the first time in Luling in 1989 for the longest watermelon seed spit. The record of 65 feet, four inches was made by John Wilkinson, a festival attendee from Houston, Texas. In that same year, Lee Wheelis a local from Luling, broke this record, by spitting a distance of 68 feet, nine and one-eighth inches.

The Thump has gained fame in previous years by gifting their champion melons to celebrities, the likes of Johnny Carson and even President Ronald Reagan in 1981. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the event. However, it had a big come-back in 2021, with fans delighted at its return.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week is here to have people prepare for the fun-filled festival while they enjoy and celebrate all the benefits of watermelons.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week timeline

1954

The Thump Festival is Born

The Watermelon Thump Festival begins in Luling, Texas.

1989

Luling Sets a World Record

Lee Wheelis, a local from Luling sets the Guinness World Record for the longest watermelon seed spit.

1981

The President Receives a Thump Melon

President Ronald Reagan receives the Thump champion watermelon.

2020

The Pandemic Stops Celebrations

The Covid-19 Pandemic leads to the cancelation of the watermelon festival.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

Local businesses can celebrate Watermelon Seed Spitting Week by embracing the fun and refreshing spirit of the holiday. Restaurants and cafes can feature watermelon-themed menus, offering special drinks, salads, or desserts. Farmers’ markets can host mini seed spitting contests or offer discounts on locally grown watermelons. Retailers can create festive displays with watermelon-themed merchandise or picnic supplies, encouraging customers to enjoy the week’s activities. Consider partnering with local growers to highlight fresh produce.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week FAQs

When is Watermelon Seed Spitting Week?

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week 2026 runs from Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28, inviting everyone to enjoy the sweet fruit and quirky contests.

How far can a watermelon seed be spat?

The current world record for watermelon seed spitting is an impressive 75 feet 2 inches (22.91 meters), set by Lee Wheelis in 1989. This feat of oral dexterity highlights the competitive spirit of the week.

How many watermelons are consumed annually?

Americans consume over 15 pounds of watermelon per person annually, totaling more than five billion pounds each year. This makes watermelon one of the most popular fruits during the summer months.

Are watermelon seeds safe to eat?

Yes, watermelon seeds are perfectly safe and even healthy to eat! They are packed with nutrients like magnesium, iron, and zinc. Many people roast them for a crunchy snack, similar to pumpkin seeds.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Week Activities

Attend the festival in Texas
Festivals are always fun and the Watermelon Thump Festival is a great way to celebrate the event. If you can do so physically, you can watch the exciting contests on T.V. or online.
Eat lots of watermelons
Watermelons are rich in vitamins and make tasty and nutritious smoothies. What better way to celebrate the week than to gorge on watermelons?
Host a theme party
Host a watermelon-themed party with your own watermelon seed-spitting contest. It is a fun way to celebrate and enjoy time with friends.

5 Interesting Facts About Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

It’s a long-lasting tradition
The watermelon festival began in 1954 making it 68 years old in 2022.
Auctions are held
Watermelon auctions are held during Watermelon Seed Spitting Week to support local growers.
Watermelons are a water source
Watermelons were used by people in desert regions as a source of water.
Seedless watermelons exist
A variety of seedless watermelons were introduced in the 1950s.
It was started by a school Principal
The late Hermon Allen, former principal of the Luling Elementary School started the watermelon four-day festival

Why We Love Watermelon Seed Spitting Week

It’s fun to enter competitions
Watermelon seed spitting contests are really fun to watch and participate in. We can get into the team spirit and encourage the entrants.
It’s a chance to connect
We get to connect with people, who share our love and glee for the event. The bond between our communities is strengthened by this holiday.
Watermelons are healthy
Watermelons are loaded with nutrients and the seeds are rich in magnesium. Find some recipes that include watermelon. For example, watermelon sorbet is cool and refreshing and you can use it in your favorite fruit salad.